Aref Assaf
Garrett vs. Garrett
A New Jersey Congressman Caught Contradicting Himself
12-11-2007
Read published version in the Herald News

Talk about double standards and hypocrisy and you must include NJ Congressman Scott Garrett (D-NJ). This is the tale of two Congressional resolutions and one Congressmen's conscience or lack thereof.

A Resolution was introduced and passed by the Congress of the United States in October 2007 recognized the significance of the fasting month, Ramadan, to Muslims around the world and to American Muslims in particular. The Resolution states: “Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith." The measure passed 376-0, with 42 members voting "Present.” The symbolic resolution was a first in many ways. It was the first time a major religious holiday was so recognized by Congress and it was significance that Islam was the first religion to be so honored.

As if by a twist of fate, Congress has just passed a similar Resolution, H.R 487, acknowledging the importance of Christmas for Christians and Christianity. The votes speak for themselves: For: 372; against: 9; present: 10; no vote: 40.

 (For a breakdown of the votes, please click here)

We have combined the voting results on both measures. We thank all those who voted for the two resolutions. However, and even though the two resolutions are almost identical in their language and implied messages, it is of note that the Christmas Resolution was opposed by 9 members of Congress( all Democrats), while the Ramadan measure was opposed by only one member. Equally relevant to our discussion here is the ratio of those who voted "present". The Ramadan measure received a total of 42 'present' votes while the Christmas measure received only 10 "present" votes.

Forty one of the 42 Congressmen( all Republicans),  who took issue with the resolution and signaled their displeasure by voting ‘present’  were Republicans. I shall take the case o of  NJ  Congressman Scott Garrett, who, as quoted in ProphecyTalk.com, was "troubled" by the Ramadan resolution. “There were a number of members who, as we call it down here, 'stayed off' that vote and did not support it because I think that they looked at it as something that Congress really should not be doing, should not be picking one faith out and commending that faith."

I have no problem with recognizing Christmas and its immense significance for practicing Christians. I am, however, unbelievably disheartened by the apparent dichotomy and hypocrisy in our Congressmen’s ethical foundation. People in the Fifth District of NJ should be equally incensed by Garrett’s double standard ethos. The principled stand would have to vote 'present". Garrett's morality  and philosophical integrity would have remained solidly based.

I was glad Congress passed the Christmas Resolution. Religious holidays are a lot more than greeting cards and exchanging of gifts. They are spiritual milestones, a reminder of our deeply felt attachment to our faiths and our religious heritage. My happiness soon dissipated when I learned that Congressman Garrett voted"YES" for the Resolution. Apparently, he has no problem with Congress ‘picking one faith out and commending that faith”.

Truthfully, I would prefer Congress to busy itself with more important and practical resolutions that deal with our security, safety, education, and taxes and altogether leave religious matters to clergy. I would have had more respect for Garrett if he stuck to his declared principle that Congress shall not talk religion. The last thing the faithful needs is an affirmation of their religious convictions by a secular entity  What Garrett has done is to commit the error he has warned us about: Recognize one religion above all others. No need here to delve into the volte topic of church and state.

I think Garrett is a numbers guy but he forgot we live in a pluralistic society.: We have more Christians than Jews and Muslims, he would probably argue. Garrett is essentially saying that Congress shall reflect this reality by favoring Christianity over other faiths. I am reminded by the Romney’s recent comments on hiring a Muslim in his cabinet (should he win the presidency). Romney was categorical in his answer that he "cannot see that a Cabinet position would be justified" for a Muslim, based on the percentage of Muslims in the U.S. Are we to expect that Jews will be similarly dealt with? All this rhetoric is coming  of the mouth of a person whose religion, Mormonism,  is a minority religion in America. One has to wonder how and on what grounds the Congressman should base his vote, if a similar resolution about a major Jewish holiday was to be presented.

If Garret asked me, I would have said to him it would be a great message especially during this holiday season that Congress would have entertained a resolution honoring all the three monotheistic religions as part of the Abrahamic tradition. As we celebrate Hanukkah, and next week (Eid Al-Adha) the Festival of Sacrifice and on the 25th, Christmas, these three holidays encapsulate the essence of our relationship with God and man.
Aref Assaf, PhD
President, American Arab Forum, a think-tank based in Paterson, NJ. Reach him at info@aafusa.org

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